WYRE'S council leader has voiced concerns about the way Blackpool is blocking developments on its own doorstep.

Coun Alan Vincent said Wyre Borough Council is threatening to pull out of a joint economic development scheme with Blackpool and Fylde councils because Blackpool is putting its own interests first -- potentially costing the other areas much-needed jobs.

Coun Vincent said Wyre would "seriously consider" withdrawing from the cross-council scheme, named Fylde Coast Initiative, if the councils carry on dodging big issues such as a planned extension of Fleetwood's Freeport shopping centre and Fylde's Snowdome project.

"We can no longer skirt around the big issues such as why major schemes have been the subject of objection by Blackpool Borough Council. The partnership should instead be working together to create jobs in all three boroughs involved," he said.

Because Blackpool had objected to the planned extension of Freeport it was now being looked at by central government and any lengthy delay could lead to the plans being shelved, he added.

"If Freeport is extended it might impact on their ability to regenerate Blackpool's Hounds Hill centre. What we have is an objection to a real project on the basis of one that has not got off the ground.

"The time has come where we need to tackle our major concerns head on and come to a solution which is of benefit to all, or seriously consider withdrawing from the partnership.

"At the end of the day we want to ensure that any financial commitment made on behalf of this council is being used for the people of Wyre in the best possible way."

Coun Vincent's comments have prompted the calling of a meeting of the chief executives and leaders of all three councils to discuss the wrangling about the effectiveness of the Fylde Coast Initiative.

He said the planned meeting could lead to a decision about whether "a mechanism for talking about the difficult issues" could be put in place, or Wyre Borough Council could "walk away".

Blackpool Council leader Roy Fisher confirmed Blackpool had objected to the Freeport extension and Snowdome project because it could adversely affect Blackpool businesses. "We feel we have to protect our own retail interests in the town centre," he said.

He rejected criticism that Blackpool was flying in the face of the joint Fylde Coast Initiative -- set up to promote economic development across all three boroughs.

"Perhaps it's the fault of the initiative or the agendas that we haven't really tackled hard issues like that," he said.

But he said he was "very confident" that a way forward could be found. "I think that the meeting will be very productive," he said.

Ken Lee, chief executive of Fylde Borough Council, commented: "The initiative has been going for about three years and we are looking to either strengthen it, or if it is not working then to do something else.

"There have been comments made that Blackpool seem to block things that are happening elsewhere. I think we have got to have a full and frank discussion about the situation."